Knitting machine and method of knitting



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KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF KNITTING Filed June 23, 1936 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 k@ .0S/VENUES hamm/M5012 Rmm/Yzam, @YM

u Patented Sept. 9, 1941 KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF KNITTING Robert H. Lawson, Pawtucket, and Arthur N. Cloutier, Lonsdale, R. I., assignors to Hemphill Company, Central Falls, R. I., a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 23, 1936, Serial No. 86,814

(Cl. E56-24) 22 Claims.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view in continuation of Fig. 1, showing the means for automatically controlling certain of the movements pertaining to the knitting oi a complete stocking on one machine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View in side elevation showing a pattern drum and levers in engagement therewith for timing certain of the machine operations;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a View in rear elevation showing the driving connections for effecting the racking of the drums shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 6 5, Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detail view from the right of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of a portion of the machine from the opposite side of the machine as compared with Fig. 3;

Fig. 8a is a detail view of the pawl and ratchet mechanism for eiecting the knitting of the loose course;

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing means for imparting a shogging movement to the needle dial as well as means for adjusting the shogging movement;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view showing a portion of the shogging mechanism illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but showing some of the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in section corresponding in phase to Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line I3-l3, Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View taken through the needle cylinder, needle dial, and cams for acting upon the butts of the dial needles;

Fig. 15 is a View showing means for moving the dial knitting cam with respect to the dial butts;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a sectional View taken along line I'l-I'l, Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a plan View showing the dial cams as they would appear with the top cap removed;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary and more or less diagrammatic view illustrating one and one rib knitting;

Fig. 20 is a View illustrating the knitting of one or more plain courses, i. e., on cylinder needles only while the dial needles are in retracted position, the cylinder needles being shown as drawing their stitches over sinkers;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary View showing the the ' parts at a later phase of the knitting cycle and when the dial has been shogged with respect to the cylinder needles;

Fig. 22 is a View illustrating the projecting of the dial needles after shogging and the theretofore inactive cylinder needles being elevated t0 enter the loops carried by the dial needles thereby effecting transfer of the stitches theretofore held by the dial needles to cylinder needles;

' Fig. 23 is a fragmentary view in side elevation illustrating the knitting of one and one rib fabric and corresponding to Fig. 19; the view being taken along the line 23, Fig. 19;

Fig. 23a is a view similar to Fig. 23 but in front elevation;

Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 23 but taken along the line 24, Fig. 20;

Fig. 24a is a view similar to Fig. 24 but in front elevation;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary view illustrating the relative position of the dial and cylinder needles preparatory to transfer of stitches from the dial needles to the cylinder needles; the View being taken along the line 25, Fig. 21;

Fig. 25a. is a view in front elevation of Fig. 25;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary View showing the dial needles fully advanced and the cylinder needles being elevated to enter the stitch held by the dial needles, the view being taken along the line 26, Fig. 22.;

Fig. 26a is a view in front elevation corresponding to Fig. 26;

Fig. 27 is a'fragmentary view illustrating the .relative positions of dial and cylinder needles preparatory to transfer of the stitch from the a y the needles at a later phase of the knitting cycle;

Fig. 28a is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 28;

Fig. 29 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 28 but showing the dial and cylinder needles at a later phase of the knitting cycle when the cylinder needle has entered the loop held by the dial needle;

Fig. 29a is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 29;

Fig. 30 is a view of the dial and cylinder needles at a still later phase of the knitting cycle when the dial needle has shed its loop which is being held on the cylinder needle;

Fig. 30a is a view corresponding to Fig. 30;

Figs. 31-34a inclusive, are views similar respectively to Figs. k27-30a, but showing a greater shogging of the dial;

Fig. 35 is a developed elevational view showing cams for acting upon the needle butts and jack butts, during transfer, following rib knitting;

Fig. 35a is a detail view of a long jack and a part of the needle in association therewith;

Fig. 35h is a view similar to Fig. 35 showing a short jack and associated needle;

Fig. 36 is a view similar to Fig. 35 but showing the cams during the last transfer course, i. e., as certain of the cylinder needles are being elevated between projected dial needles to remove the stitches therefrom;

Fig. 37 is a fragmentary plan view showing connections for operating a sinker cam;

Fig. 38 is an elevational view showing the mechanism shown in Fig. 37;

Fig. 39 is a sectional view taken along the line 39-39, Fig. 37;

Fig. 40 is a view of a pattern drum with the cams thereon for timing the desired movements of the knitting instrumentalities;

Fig. 41 is a view similar to Fig. 40 but showing another drum on the same cam shaft;

Fig. 42 is a small scale view in side elevation of the cam drum shown in Fig. 40;

Figs. 43-49 inclusive, are views showing different rows of cams shown in Figs. 40 and 41;

Fig. 50 is an elevational view partly in section showing the pawl and ratchet mechanism for effecting the movements of auxiliary pattern drums;

Fig. 51 is a fragmentary detail view showing the pawl and ratchet illustrated in Fig. 50 at another phase of the knitting cycle; and

Fig. 52 is a view showing a stocking or half hose knitted in the manner hereinafter described.

The machine includes a so-called circular base I in which is mounted, preferably, for rotary movements, a needle cylinder 2. Stand 3 has pivotally mounted therein a series of levers 4 which act upon yarn guides 5 in the usual manner. A cam block 6 is shown as mounted upon a stationary cam ring 1. The yarn guides 5 are pivotally mounted in a latch ring 8 in the usual manner, said latch ring'being pivoted at 9 to an upright I which is supported by the circular base I. Rising from the circular base I are uprights supporting at the upper ends thereof a plate I2 in which is rotatably supported a dial shaft bearing I3.

Dial mechanism, Figs. 1 and 9-18 inclusive Mounted upon the plate I2 is mechanism for effecting a shogging movement of the needle dial I4 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. The dial I4 is made to turn with a shaft I5 by means of a key I 6. To the upper end of the said shaft is made fast a plate or disc I1, a screw I8 passing through a hub I9 of the said disc I1 to connect it to the shaft I5. Depending from the disc I1 is a lug 20 which during rib knitting is maintained in a position shown in Fig. 9 by means of a detent constituted by a lever 2| pivotally mounted upon an arc shaped plate or strip 22, the latter being adjustably fastened to a gear 23. The lever 2| is notched as at 24, the notch being in engagement with the adjacent edge of the lug 20 as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. The lever 2| is urged to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 11 by spring 25, the arm of the lever 2| which engages the lug 20 being limited in its movements in that direction by means of a pin 26 which engages in a notch of the lever 2|. When rib knitting is changedimplain knitting, the dial needles are shogged with respect to the cylinder needles in a manner hereinafter to be described, such shogging movement of the dial needles being effected by a forked lever 21 which is pivoted at 28 to a bracket 29 fastened to the plate I2. One hardened portion 30 of the fork of lever 21 is beveled at its end, said beveled end engaging a beveled endofvthe outer arm of the lever 2| thus rocking'thelever 2| on its pivot and against the tension of the spring 25 thereby causing the said lever to be moved from the position shown in Figs. 9 and 11 to the position shown in Fig. l0. The release of the lever 2| from engagement with the lug 20 permits said lug to move from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the position, Fig. 10, to engage the end of the screw 3| which passes through a bracket 32 forming part of the hub 33 of the gear 23. A similarly adjustable screw 3 I' engages the lug 20 during rib knitting to cause the said lug 20 and consequently the dial I4 to rotate in proper timed relation with the needle cylinder. When the lever 21 is actuated in the manner described to cause the portion 30 thereof to engage and release the latch or detent 2| from engagement with the lug 20, a brake 34 consisting of a pad of felt or other material, carried by the other portion of the fork constituting one arm of the lever 21, moves into engagement with the periphery of the disc I1 thus overcoming the momentum of the rotating dial I4 and effecting a quick shogging movement of the dial to such a position that the lug 2|) is moved into engagement with the end of the screw 3| where it remains duringjhe knittingyfrthe leg.. After the shogging of the dial 'has been effected in the manner hereinbefore described, the lever 21 is rocked to the position shown in Fig. 1 which releases the detent 2| to the action of its spring 25 thereby causing an adjacent edge of the said lever 2| to rest against the lug 20 where it remains during the knitting of the leg. The mentioned rocking movement of the lever 21 also releases the disc I1 from engagement with the brake 34. Conveniently, during the first reverse stroke of heel and toe knitting, the lug 20 moves back to the position shown in Fig. 9 whereupon the spring 25 causes the lever 2|I to snap to the position shown in said Fig. 9 whereupon the said lug 20 is engaged in the said notch 24, the parts thus being in position for subsgiueptgibiknitting.

Mechanism for effecting the retraction and sublsequent projection of dial needles to effect stitch transfer, Figs. 1, 2, 4, 14-18 inclusive, and 47 and 48 To effect the transfer from rib knitting to plain knitting in a manner hereinafter to be described, it is desirable that the dial needles be retracted during the knitting of one or more courses, preferably two, as indicated in Fig. 20. In order to effect a retraction of the dial needles at the desired time, the dial transie rmjrrlw35,M

and the dial knitting cam 36 are elevatedwand moved out of the path of the butts of dial needles 31 some of which, i. e., those on the instep side, are shown as having long butts and the others as having relatively short butts..

Thgansfermamias a right-angled portion 38V extending upwardly therefrom to which is connected as -by means of a screw 39, a sliding cam link 40 having an inclined slot 4I therein through which passes the shank of the screw 39. The screw 39 also passes through a longitudinally extending slot 42 in a plate bracket 43 fastened to the hub 44 which is part of and projects upwardly from the dial cap` 45. The cam is no ally maintaindgibitengagirmpgsitiop as by Ipgeaisbfpfrggd attached at one--end-t`thescrew 39 and at tlitlier end to a screw 41 fast to the plate bracket 43. The mentioned link has a longitudinally extending slot 48 midway the length thereof and re-` ceived in the slot 48 is a screw 49. A spring 50 is attached at one end to a pin 5I which is carried by the link 40 and the other end of the spring 50 is attached to a second pin 52 fast to the plate bracket 43, the spring 50 thus serving to maintain the link 40 in the extreme lefthand position illustrated in Fig. 15. At certain times during knitting, as will be hereinafter described, the link 40 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 15 to a position to the right thereof and against the tension of the spring 58, such movement of the link 40 causing, as by means of the slot and pin connection 39 and 4 I, the elevation of the carn ,35, that is to a position away from the butts 31 on the dialneedles. To effect the desired movement ofthe link 40, a stud 53 projects from the end thereof remote from the slot 4I. In engagement with the said stud 53 is one arm 54 of the bell crank lever pivoted on a rod 55 supported at its ends in collars 56 adjustably fixed on adjacent uprights II, screws 51 retaining the collars in position on the said upright and other screws 58 locking the rod 55 in position. The bell crank 54 is retained in its axial position by means of collars 59 fixed at the shaft 55. To the other arm 6I) of the bell crank lever is pivotally connected a downwardly extending link 6| which passes (Figs. 2-4) through a slot in a bracket 62 which is fastened to the machine frame. Link 6I terminates at its lower end in a toe maintained in engagement with drum 63 or a cam 64 thereon by means of a spring 65 one end of which is connected to a pin or screw 66 carried by bracket 62 and the other end of which spring is connected to the link 6I conveniently by means of a notch 61 in the said link 6I.

The connections just described are duplicated for dial knitting cam 36, a link 40 engaging a bell crank lever 68 likewise pivotally mounted on the shaft 55 and having an arm 69 pivotally connected to depending link 1D, the toe of which is maintained, by means of a spring 65 as described, in contact with the surface of the drum 63 or cams 1I or 12 mounted thereon.

Extensions 3 8 of the cams 35 and 36 are conveniently guided in slots or grooves 13 in the dial hub 44.

Cab

EccentricY mounting of the dial with respect to the cylinder As indicated in Fig. 14 by the dot and dash lines 14 and 15, the needle dial is slightly eccentrically mounted with respect to the needle cylinder, the dot and dash line 14 representing the dial axis and the dot and dash line 15 representing the axis of the cylinder. The purpose of the eccentric mounting of the dial with respect to the cylinder will hereinafter be described.

Mechanism for varying the etent of the shogging movement of the dial with respect to the cylinder, Figs. 9-12 inclusive Adjustment of the screw 3| effects a variation of the shogging movement imparted to the needle dial. The position of the screw 3| as shown in Fig. 9, permits a shogging of the dial the distance of the two dial needles the eifect of which is illustrated in Figs. 31-34a inclusive. By moving the screw 3| forwardly, movement of the lug 20 and consequently of the needle dial, upon release of the detent 2| hereinbefore described, limits the shogging of the needle dial to the distance between adjacent dial needles only, i. e., one dial needle shogging, the effect of which is illustrated in Figs. 27-30a inclusive.

Dial and cylinder connections, Figs. 1, 9, 10, 13

and 14 As herein disclosed, the needle cylinder 2 and the needle dial I4 rotate during circular knitting and reciprocate as during the knitting of heels and toes, the cams for acting upon the cylinder needles and jacks and the dial cap for acting upon the dial needle being stationary. In the knitting of rib fabric, it is essential that the needle cylinder and needle dial rotate together so that the dial and cylinder needles shall be maintained in proper relation with respect to each other.

As hereinbefore stated, the needle dial I4 turns with the shaft I5 due to the keyway connection I6. The dial I4 may be adjusted vertically with respect to the shaft I5 as by means of a screw 16 the end of which engages against a flat portion 11 of the shaft I5. The shaft I5 is supported for rotary movements on a bearing constituted by the sleeve or hollow shaft I3 which extends upwardly through the stationary plate I2. Adjacent to its upper end the shaft I3 is provided with a keyway 18 (Fig. 13), in which is engaged a key 19 forming part of ring 80 adjustably connected to a hub of the plate I2 by means of pin and slot connections 8l. The slot 18 connects with a transversely extending slot (not shown) which forms in effect a bayonet slot which permits the needle dial and dial cap to be elevated by manual engagement of a wheel 82 which is connected to the upper end of the shaft I5 and then by turning the wheel 82 to retain the needle dial and dial cap in elevated position.

Rotary and reciprocatory movements of the gear 23 impart corresponding turning movements to the connected bracket 32 and consequently to the disc I1 and shaft I5 and thus to the needle dial I4. Screw 83 passing adjustably through the disc I1 limits the downward movement of the said disc, shaft I5 and parts connected thereto, by engagement with the upper surface of the bracket 32.

The gear 23 is conveniently driven by means of a gear 84 which is connected to a shaft 84 which extends downwardly and is driven by the usual ring gear (not shown) which is connected to and forms part of the needle cylinder 2.

Mechanism in connection with the knitting of the high splice and double sole, Figs. 1, 5, 8 and 9 inclusive It is desirable, especially during the knitting of the double sole and high splices, that the dial, dial cap, etc., be elevated to permit the oating of the double sole yarn or yarns below the dial. To effect the necessary elevation of the dial, dial cap, etc., there is provided (Fig. 9) a lever 85 pivoted intermediate its ends at 86 to a bracket 81 supported by and connected to plate I2. One arm of the said lever 85 has two wings adjustably connected as by screws 88 to an arc-shaped piece 89 each arm of which has diametrically disposed and inwardly projecting ends or rolls 90 which engage the under side of the disc I1. The other end of the lever 85 extends outwardly from the machine and to the said end is pivotally connected at 9| (Figs. 5, 8) a downwardly extending rod 92, the lower end of which passes through and is adjustably connected to a lever arm 93. The arm 93 is connected to a horizontally extending shaft 94 which is supported in the machine frame. To the extending end 95 of said shaft is connected a lever mechanism (not shown) which is in engagement with a cam drum (not shown) mounted on a shaft 91 likewise supported in the machine and mounted therein above the shaft 94.

The connections hereinbefore described for the double sole and high splice mechanism permit rotations of the shaft 91 to rock the shaft 94 and consequently move the link 92 to a downward direction to elevate the disc I1 through the connections hereinbefore described and including the pins or rolls 90. The elevation of the disc |1 elevates the shaft I5 and the needle dial, dial cap and connected parts. To insure a return of the needle dial, dial cap, etc., tothe proper lowered position at the completion of the high splice and double sole, a spring (not shown) may be provided between the wheel 82 and the hub I9 of the disc l1.

Mechanism for effecting knitting of a loose course preparatory to changing from rib to plain knitting, Figs. 2, 5, 8, 8a, 41 and 48 Immediately precedinLjransfeLmfnsttches fr/cun/the dial needles to theretofore inactive cylinder needles, alternate cylinder needles and the dial needles knit rib fabric and the last course of such rib knitting, i. e., immediately preceding the transfer, is kniiledfloosethatrisrthenylinder needles draw longer stitches than previously. This so-called loose course is of importance in connection with the subsequent shogging to effect the transfer, being especially necessary when shogging over two dial needles in a manner hereinafter to be described.

To effect the knitting of the loose course on the alternate cylinder needles the main cam shaft 91 is rotated. Upon the said cam shaft 91 is fixedly mounted the fashioning drum 98, cams; of which determine the vertical position of the fashioning bracket 99 and consequently of the cam to determine the length of the stitches drawn by the cylinder needles. To effect the' desired rotation of the cam shaft 91 and consequently the vertical position of the fashioning drum 98, the usual pawl |00 which advances the shaft 91 and cams mounted thereon as dictated by lugs on a pattern chain C, engages teeth on the usual ratchet |0| fast on the cam shaft 91. However, four courses are ordinarily knitted between each racking of the ratchet |0| by means of its pawl |00 which would result,in the present instance, in four loose courses being knitted by the cylinder needles. In order to reduce the four courses to the single loose course desired, one of the teeth on the ratchet |0|, specially designated by IUI', is relatively short so that when engaged and advanced by the pawl |00, the appropriate plunger |02 in the fashioning bracket 99 while the drum 98 is advanced still rests on its cam |03, the drum 98 coming to rest just before the plunger or cam |02 moves off the end of the said cam |03. To effect the knitting of one loose course on alternate cylinder needles fashioning drum 98 is advanced during a portion of which movement the plunger |02 drops olf the cam |03 and onto the surface of the drum 98 being then elevated by another cam on the drum 98 in line with the cam 03. The supplemental movement imparted to the drum 98 is due to the action of a pawl |04 engaging a lug |05 on a drum |06 fast to the shaft 91. 'I'he pawl |04 is pivoted at |01 to a lever |08 pivoted intermediate its ends to a bracket |09. The other arm of the lever is provided with a toe ||0 maintained in engagement With cam by means of a spring |I2 one end of which is fastened to the pawl |04 and the other end to the machine flange. The cam is carried by and moves with the |04 gear ||3 which latter makes one complete rotation during four courses of knitting. At an appropriate time in the knitting cycle, advance of the cam rocksthe lever |08 and consequently advances the pawl |04 to contact the lug |05 which advances the drum |06 and consequently the shaft 91, and as a result thereof advances the fashioning drum 98 which is fixedly mounted on the cam shaft 91.

Sinlcer mechanism for facilitating the shogging transfer, Figs. 1, 15, 37, 38 and 39 It occasionally happens that one or more of the sinkers H4 max ilghmgrelnckdue, minsten-W sion of the fabric and as a consequence thereof when the dial needles shog with respect to the cylinder needles toeffect a transfer, the strands of the loops may be drawn over the nibs ||5 of such sinkers and break. Also, the shogged loops may be unduly stretched and possibly broken by reason of the fact that the sinker nibs engaging over a loop Would..deect thes` ame from the normal straight upward inclination, thusunduly tensioning the said loop; "Furthermorz'such forwardly positioned,A sinkers-wouldax by imposing greater strain onthe-:fabritgl unduly tension the stitches to be transferred.

To overcome these disadvantages sinker retracting canrl|.|.6-isWl1,rWn preparatory to imparting a shogging moverntt' the dial and such withdrawal is conveniently effected by movement of the lever arm 54, which is in engagement with the stud 53, Fig. 1, in a direction away from the needle cylinder and dial. The aforesaid swinging movement of the lever 54 permits retraction of the link 40, by means of the spring 50, and consequent movement of the transfer cam 35 to its operative position to project the dial needles for transfer. For this purpose, a lever ||1 is maintained in engagement 

